Jackson police giving away free turkeys to local families for Thanksgiving

Jackson police officers are helping local families get a turkey on the table this Thanksgiving. The Jackson Police Department's third annual Turkey Drive-Thru event is happening Thursday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the American 1 Event Center, which is located in the Jackson County Fairgrounds.

The Turkey Drive-Thru is only open to Jackson residents. No prior sign up is necessary and the turkeys are free. Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles, entering the fairgrounds using the N. Blackstone Street entrance and driving through the parking lot to the turkey distribution site. Jackson officers will be there to distribute the turkeys to local families. The frozen turkeys will also come with safe cooking instructions. Drivers are to leave the fairgrounds using the W. Ganson Street exit.

At least year's event, 300 turkeys flew out of the fairgrounds in under 30 minutes. The police department plans on giving away 500 turkeys this year to serve more residents. The turkeys are being donated by Walmart and an anonymous donor.

This special event is being organized through the police department's Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Strategy. GVI has local law enforcement and the community working together on direct solutions to reducing gun violence in Jackson. Coordinator Cheryl Ragland says the turkey giveaway fits in with the program's message of community outreach. "Having enough food on the table for a family holiday is a big part of that," Ragland said. "With increasing food costs for families, we hope this will also alleviate some financial strain during the holiday season."

Turkeys will be available while supplies last. Only one turkey will be given to each vehicle. The American 1 Event Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds is located at 200 W. Ganson St.